"This is truly one of the biggest mysteries about the Church of Scientology: Why do Scientologists trust David Miscavige?
Scientologists consider him right up there with L. Ron Hubbard, pretty much "Source". But why?
What has he done that warrants such absolute, blind faith?
I guess some Scientologists figure that, since he was "put in charge by Ron, he must be OK." The only problem with that belief is that it isn't true! He specifically was not "put in charge by Ron." When Ron died, there was a whole organizational hierarchy that was in place to run the Church of Scientology, with other people in charge. David Miscavige wasn't included. So, no, Ron didn't assign or approve Miscavige as head of the church. Didn't happen.
If Ron didn't particularly trust Miscavige with the job, why do Scientologists trust Miscavige?
Well, there is the story about how Miscavige "put down a mutiny of mission holders" back in 1982. That's the story from Miscavige. The mission holders have a completely different story. Scientologists will undoubtedly choose to believe Miscavige's version -- but there is something they should look at. Prior to Miscavige's take-over of the mission network, missions were in a period of sustained and exciting expansion. Prior to Miscavige's action, missions were springing up all over the place and they were huge. Since Miscavige's action, the mission network has fallen on very hard times, with missions closing rather than expanding or opening. Based on results, Miscavige factually destroyed the Mission Network and killed a huge period of expansion for Scientology. Is this a person to trust with running the Church of Scientology?
So, if Miscavige actually destroyed this vital Scientology expansion, why do Scientologists trust him?
Perhaps some Scientologists trust him so much because of the whole "Golden Age of Tech" that Miscavige developed -- a complete change in all Scientology training. Miscavige touts this as a "great achievement" and Scientologists believe him. Those who trained directly under Hubbard have a completely different view of things, but they are not allowed to voice any disagreements. Once again, "good" Scientologists will believe Miscavige's version -- however, they should look at the results of this "Golden Age of Tech". The results are depressing.
Some people have been completing their training under the new methods, but after that, things are not looking good. Auditors have stopped auditing and have dropped out of sight. Auditors and Case Supervisors have gotten into trouble for messing up cases. Today, there are far fewer auditors than before the "Golden Age of Tech". A "training improvement" that causes auditors to fail and stop auditing? That doesn't sound good.
But, despite the obvious problems with Miscavige's "improvements", Scientologists still trust him implicitly. Why?
He is "expanding Scientology" isn't he? As leader of the Church of Scientology, David Miscavige's highest priority target from extant Hubbard orders, was to bring all churches to the "size of old Saint Hill" (the main organization when Scientology was booming). Scientologists will recall church after church receiving their recognition for "reaching the size of old Saint Hill". Then nothing. What happened? Did they make it? Are all the churches at that size now?
No. The few that did (barely) make it to that size, quickly collapsed to much smaller sizes almost immediately. Miscavige's "management" had artificially boosted these organizations just enough to "win" the award, but it was bad management since it fell apart immediately. At this time no church is even close to the size of "old Saint Hill". The most important orders from Hubbard are now in a drawer somewhere, ignored and forgotten.
The results of Miscavige's attempt to carry out Hubbard's big project to get all churches to the "size of old Saint Hill" -- nothing. No churches are at that size. Total failure!
Well, there is this new program to expand Scientology: Forcing the public Scientologists to cough up millions and millions of dollars to buy big buildings for their local church. Scientologists are told by Miscavige that this is a wild and wonderful success. Scientologists sincerely believe this view of things. But they should look at the results. What are the results? A few of these new buildings have been completed and opened. Very few. More new buildings have been purchased but not renovated. What happened?
•The few churches that have newly renovated buildings are doing poorly -- they are not expanding. Because of the additional expenses associated with the newer, bigger buildings, their staff are paid little or nothing. It's a real struggle.
•The churches that have purchased but not renovated their buildings are also in deep trouble. They have additional expenses, but find it difficult to make any money from their parishioners -- the parishioners have been tapped out on money. •The churches still working on buying new buildings are really struggling. Their parishioners have been hammered for money and more money -- so they're not taking courses either. It is an incredible struggle.
The result of Miscavige's "Ideal Org" program is to remove all available money from the Scientology public, leaving very little for them to buy services at the local church. The result of that has been to collapse all the local churches. Anyone could have predicted that, and this is exactly what has happened. The money for the new buildings goes to Miscavige and does not benefit the local church. If they collect enough money to buy a building, the ownership of that building is transferred to Miscavige's Int. Landlord and does not benefit the local church.
So, Miscavige is a total failure in expanding Scientology, and, in fact, every action he takes causes the Church of Scientology to shrink. There really is no reason anyone would trust a person with a track record like Miscavige's. So why do Scientologists still trust him so much?
Maybe some Scientologist will tell me.
But I'll tell you why I think Scientologists trust Miscavige despite his abysmal record.
Based on my own experiences when I was a "loyal Scientologist", I think it's because David Miscavige is the one who controls all information to the loyal Scientologists. They are forbidden from reading or watching or listening to anything else. Miscavige controls the Scientology newsletters and magazines. Miscavige controls the press releases. Miscavige controls the Scientology events. And everything a Scientologist is allowed to see modestly proclaims David Miscavige as the most amazing and wonderful person in the whole world.
And, of course, Scientologists believe him and they trust him. He wouldn't lie to them, would he?"
On 4 Juli, 13:15, SMASHERKARL <k...@atheist.com> wrote:
> "This is truly one of the biggest mysteries about the Church of > Scientology: Why do Scientologists trust David Miscavige?
Because people are as people do. Got NOTHING to do with the subject, quite the contrary.
Scientology/Dianetics are about information, not about icons, but people have always created them, and will continue to create them no matter what, but they never will be the subject.
> Scientologists consider him right up there with L. Ron Hubbard, pretty > much "Source". But why?
> What has he done that warrants such absolute, blind faith?
> I guess some Scientologists figure that, since he was "put in charge > by Ron, he must be OK." The only problem with that belief is that it > isn't true! He specifically was not "put in charge by Ron." When Ron > died, there was a whole organizational hierarchy that was in place to > run the Church of Scientology, with other people in charge. David > Miscavige wasn't included. So, no, Ron didn't assign or approve > Miscavige as head of the church. Didn't happen.
> If Ron didn't particularly trust Miscavige with the job, why do > Scientologists trust Miscavige?
> Well, there is the story about how Miscavige "put down a mutiny of > mission holders" back in 1982. That's the story from Miscavige. The > mission holders have a completely different story. Scientologists will > undoubtedly choose to believe Miscavige's version -- but there is > something they should look at. Prior to Miscavige's take-over of the > mission network, missions were in a period of sustained and exciting > expansion. Prior to Miscavige's action, missions were springing up all > over the place and they were huge. Since Miscavige's action, the > mission network has fallen on very hard times, with missions closing > rather than expanding or opening. Based on results, Miscavige > factually destroyed the Mission Network and killed a huge period of > expansion for Scientology. Is this a person to trust with running the > Church of Scientology?
> So, if Miscavige actually destroyed this vital Scientology expansion, > why do Scientologists trust him?
> Perhaps some Scientologists trust him so much because of the whole > "Golden Age of Tech" that Miscavige developed -- a complete change in > all Scientology training. Miscavige touts this as a "great > achievement" and Scientologists believe him. Those who trained > directly under Hubbard have a completely different view of things, but > they are not allowed to voice any disagreements. Once again, "good" > Scientologists will believe Miscavige's version -- however, they > should look at the results of this "Golden Age of Tech". The results > are depressing.
> Some people have been completing their training under the new methods, > but after that, things are not looking good. Auditors have stopped > auditing and have dropped out of sight. Auditors and Case Supervisors > have gotten into trouble for messing up cases. Today, there are far > fewer auditors than before the "Golden Age of Tech". A "training > improvement" that causes auditors to fail and stop auditing? That > doesn't sound good.
> But, despite the obvious problems with Miscavige's "improvements", > Scientologists still trust him implicitly. Why?
> He is "expanding Scientology" isn't he? As leader of the Church of > Scientology, David Miscavige's highest priority target from extant > Hubbard orders, was to bring all churches to the "size of old Saint > Hill" (the main organization when Scientology was booming). > Scientologists will recall church after church receiving their > recognition for "reaching the size of old Saint Hill". Then nothing. > What happened? Did they make it? Are all the churches at that size > now?
> No. The few that did (barely) make it to that size, quickly collapsed > to much smaller sizes almost immediately. Miscavige's "management" had > artificially boosted these organizations just enough to "win" the > award, but it was bad management since it fell apart immediately. At > this time no church is even close to the size of "old Saint Hill". The > most important orders from Hubbard are now in a drawer somewhere, > ignored and forgotten.
> The results of Miscavige's attempt to carry out Hubbard's big project > to get all churches to the "size of old Saint Hill" -- nothing. No > churches are at that size. Total failure!
> Well, there is this new program to expand Scientology: Forcing the > public Scientologists to cough up millions and millions of dollars to > buy big buildings for their local church. Scientologists are told by > Miscavige that this is a wild and wonderful success. Scientologists > sincerely believe this view of things. But they should look at the > results. What are the results? A few of these new buildings have been > completed and opened. Very few. More new buildings have been purchased > but not renovated. What happened?
> •The few churches that have newly renovated buildings are doing poorly > -- they are not expanding. Because of the additional expenses > associated with the newer, bigger buildings, their staff are paid > little or nothing. It's a real struggle.
> •The churches that have purchased but not renovated their buildings > are also in deep trouble. They have additional expenses, but find it > difficult to make any money from their parishioners -- the > parishioners have been tapped out on money. > •The churches still working on buying new buildings are really > struggling. Their parishioners have been hammered for money and more > money -- so they're not taking courses either. It is an incredible > struggle.
> The result of Miscavige's "Ideal Org" program is to remove all > available money from the Scientology public, leaving very little for > them to buy services at the local church. The result of that has been > to collapse all the local churches. Anyone could have predicted that, > and this is exactly what has happened. The money for the new buildings > goes to Miscavige and does not benefit the local church. If they > collect enough money to buy a building, the ownership of that building > is transferred to Miscavige's Int. Landlord and does not benefit the > local church.
> So, Miscavige is a total failure in expanding Scientology, and, in > fact, every action he takes causes the Church of Scientology to > shrink. There really is no reason anyone would trust a person with a > track record like Miscavige's. So why do Scientologists still trust > him so much?
> Maybe some Scientologist will tell me.
> But I'll tell you why I think Scientologists trust Miscavige despite > his abysmal record.
> Based on my own experiences when I was a "loyal Scientologist", I > think it's because David Miscavige is the one who controls all > information to the loyal Scientologists. They are forbidden from > reading or watching or listening to anything else. Miscavige controls > the Scientology newsletters and magazines. Miscavige controls the > press releases. Miscavige controls the Scientology events. And > everything a Scientologist is allowed to see modestly proclaims David > Miscavige as the most amazing and wonderful person in the whole world.
> And, of course, Scientologists believe him and they trust him. He > wouldn't lie to them, would he?"
> >"This is truly one of the biggest mysteries about the Church of > >Scientology: Why do Scientologists trust David Miscavige?
> This is a completely false assumption. I have yet to meet a > Scientologist who trusts David Miscavige. (I fixed the subject to > reflect it.)
Sorry to have to say against you, but this may not be a correct statement. It does not match at all my personal experiences and observations which are many.
> Most Scientologists posting on ars have made critical statements > regarding Miscavige's management style. (Even some who are still in > the church.)
But the ordinary Scientologist (CoS connected) will not be found here on the ARS.
Didn't know about the site. Interesting, but it is overlooked that by the time that Miscavige came around the tech was already seriously interferred with.
>> >"This is truly one of the biggest mysteries about the Church of >> >Scientology: Why do Scientologists trust David Miscavige?
>> This is a completely false assumption. I have yet to meet a >> Scientologist who trusts David Miscavige. (I fixed the subject to >> reflect it.)
>Sorry to have to say against you, but this may not be a correct >statement. It does not match at all my personal experiences and >observations which are many.
Don't be sorry to attest to what is true for you. If you have reason to trust David Miscavige, then do so.
>> Most Scientologists posting on ars have made critical statements >> regarding Miscavige's management style. (Even some who are still in >> the church.)
>But the ordinary Scientologist (CoS connected) will not be found here >on the ARS.
There have been a small few. They often claim that no one knows they are reading or posting here.
>Didn't know about the site. Interesting, but it is overlooked that by >the time that Miscavige came around the tech was already seriously >interferred with.
But it was RTC's job description to restore the tech. David Miscavige is simply not doing his rightful job. Instead, he has been managing the church for 20 years when RTC's function is supposed to have been exterior to church management.
Per the Command Channels Chart, WDC is ultimately responsible for managing the church and its organizations. And even they are supposed to take a long-term strategic viewpoint while having the Exec Strata work out the short-term programs.
> >> >"This is truly one of the biggest mysteries about the Church of > >> >Scientology: Why do Scientologists trust David Miscavige?
> >> This is a completely false assumption. I have yet to meet a > >> Scientologist who trusts David Miscavige. (I fixed the subject to > >> reflect it.)
> >Sorry to have to say against you, but this may not be a correct > >statement. It does not match at all my personal experiences and > >observations which are many.
> Don't be sorry to attest to what is true for you. If you have reason > to trust David Miscavige, then do so.
Ah, I may not have expressed myself clear enough. I was not referring to my personal position. I was referring to my observations of those persons that behave and express themselves in these manners towards and in regards to Mr. Miscavige.
> >> Most Scientologists posting on ars have made critical statements > >> regarding Miscavige's management style. (Even some who are still in > >> the church.)
> >But the ordinary Scientologist (CoS connected) will not be found here > >on the ARS.
> There have been a small few. They often claim that no one knows they > are reading or posting here.
> >Didn't know about the site. Interesting, but it is overlooked that by > >the time that Miscavige came around the tech was already seriously > >interferred with.
> But it was RTC's job description to restore the tech. David Miscavige > is simply not doing his rightful job. Instead, he has been managing > the church for 20 years when RTC's function is supposed to have been > exterior to church management.
> Per the Command Channels Chart, WDC is ultimately responsible for > managing the church and its organizations. And even they are supposed > to take a long-term strategic viewpoint while having the Exec Strata > work out the short-term programs.
What few actually realize is that RTC kicked David Mayo (the same RTC that he himself was a founding member of), and then we see that the newly established management adopts the changes in the tech that came about in his reign. Quite interesting, but an undeniable fact.
> What few actually realize is that RTC kicked David Mayo (the same RTC > that he himself was a founding member of), and then we see that the > newly established management adopts the changes in the tech that came > about in his reign. Quite interesting, but an undeniable fact.
> RR
David Miscavige is not even able to trust himself so why should anyone be concerned with if others trust him or not?
David Miscavige does not even have a high school diploma!
Would you place your life in the hands of someone that does not even have a high school diploma and is the Chairman of the Board of a large enterprise?
> > What few actually realize is that RTC kicked David Mayo (the same RTC > > that he himself was a founding member of), and then we see that the > > newly established management adopts the changes in the tech that came > > about in his reign. Quite interesting, but an undeniable fact.
> > RR
> David Miscavige is not even able to trust himself so > why should anyone be concerned with if others trust him or not?
> David Miscavige does not even have a high school diploma!
> Would you place your life in the hands of someone that > does not even have a high school diploma and is the > Chairman of the Board of a large enterprise?
> You might, I don't however.
> Simple observation.
If you would have observed my responses you would not have to ask me that question...
> "This is truly one of the biggest mysteries about the Church of > Scientology: Why do Scientologists trust David Miscavige?
> Scientologists consider him right up there with L. Ron Hubbard, pretty > much "Source". But why?
> What has he done that warrants such absolute, blind faith?
> I guess some Scientologists figure that, since he was "put in charge > by Ron, he must be OK." The only problem with that belief is that it > isn't true! He specifically was not "put in charge by Ron." When Ron > died, there was a whole organizational hierarchy that was in place to > run the Church of Scientology, with other people in charge. David > Miscavige wasn't included. So, no, Ron didn't assign or approve > Miscavige as head of the church. Didn't happen.
> If Ron didn't particularly trust Miscavige with the job, why do > Scientologists trust Miscavige?
> Well, there is the story about how Miscavige "put down a mutiny of > mission holders" back in 1982. That's the story from Miscavige. The > mission holders have a completely different story. Scientologists will > undoubtedly choose to believe Miscavige's version -- but there is > something they should look at. Prior to Miscavige's take-over of the > mission network, missions were in a period of sustained and exciting > expansion. Prior to Miscavige's action, missions were springing up all > over the place and they were huge. Since Miscavige's action, the > mission network has fallen on very hard times, with missions closing > rather than expanding or opening. Based on results, Miscavige > factually destroyed the Mission Network and killed a huge period of > expansion for Scientology. Is this a person to trust with running the > Church of Scientology?
> So, if Miscavige actually destroyed this vital Scientology expansion, > why do Scientologists trust him?
> Perhaps some Scientologists trust him so much because of the whole > "Golden Age of Tech" that Miscavige developed -- a complete change in > all Scientology training. Miscavige touts this as a "great > achievement" and Scientologists believe him. Those who trained > directly under Hubbard have a completely different view of things, but > they are not allowed to voice any disagreements. Once again, "good" > Scientologists will believe Miscavige's version -- however, they > should look at the results of this "Golden Age of Tech". The results > are depressing.
> Some people have been completing their training under the new methods, > but after that, things are not looking good. Auditors have stopped > auditing and have dropped out of sight. Auditors and Case Supervisors > have gotten into trouble for messing up cases. Today, there are far > fewer auditors than before the "Golden Age of Tech". A "training > improvement" that causes auditors to fail and stop auditing? That > doesn't sound good.
> But, despite the obvious problems with Miscavige's "improvements", > Scientologists still trust him implicitly. Why?
> He is "expanding Scientology" isn't he? As leader of the Church of > Scientology, David Miscavige's highest priority target from extant > Hubbard orders, was to bring all churches to the "size of old Saint > Hill" (the main organization when Scientology was booming). > Scientologists will recall church after church receiving their > recognition for "reaching the size of old Saint Hill". Then nothing. > What happened? Did they make it? Are all the churches at that size > now?
> No. The few that did (barely) make it to that size, quickly collapsed > to much smaller sizes almost immediately. Miscavige's "management" had > artificially boosted these organizations just enough to "win" the > award, but it was bad management since it fell apart immediately. At > this time no church is even close to the size of "old Saint Hill". The > most important orders from Hubbard are now in a drawer somewhere, > ignored and forgotten.
> The results of Miscavige's attempt to carry out Hubbard's big project > to get all churches to the "size of old Saint Hill" -- nothing. No > churches are at that size. Total failure!
> Well, there is this new program to expand Scientology: Forcing the > public Scientologists to cough up millions and millions of dollars to > buy big buildings for their local church. Scientologists are told by > Miscavige that this is a wild and wonderful success. Scientologists > sincerely believe this view of things. But they should look at the > results. What are the results? A few of these new buildings have been > completed and opened. Very few. More new buildings have been purchased > but not renovated. What happened?
> •The few churches that have newly renovated buildings are doing poorly > -- they are not expanding. Because of the additional expenses > associated with the newer, bigger buildings, their staff are paid > little or nothing. It's a real struggle.
> •The churches that have purchased but not renovated their buildings > are also in deep trouble. They have additional expenses, but find it > difficult to make any money from their parishioners -- the > parishioners have been tapped out on money. > •The churches still working on buying new buildings are really > struggling. Their parishioners have been hammered for money and more > money -- so they're not taking courses either. It is an incredible > struggle.
> The result of Miscavige's "Ideal Org" program is to remove all > available money from the Scientology public, leaving very little for > them to buy services at the local church. The result of that has been > to collapse all the local churches. Anyone could have predicted that, > and this is exactly what has happened. The money for the new buildings > goes to Miscavige and does not benefit the local church. If they > collect enough money to buy a building, the ownership of that building > is transferred to Miscavige's Int. Landlord and does not benefit the > local church.
> So, Miscavige is a total failure in expanding Scientology, and, in > fact, every action he takes causes the Church of Scientology to > shrink. There really is no reason anyone would trust a person with a > track record like Miscavige's. So why do Scientologists still trust > him so much?
> Maybe some Scientologist will tell me.
> But I'll tell you why I think Scientologists trust Miscavige despite > his abysmal record.
> Based on my own experiences when I was a "loyal Scientologist", I > think it's because David Miscavige is the one who controls all > information to the loyal Scientologists. They are forbidden from > reading or watching or listening to anything else. Miscavige controls > the Scientology newsletters and magazines. Miscavige controls the > press releases. Miscavige controls the Scientology events.
You're missing the fact that there are at least three levels of control. He can mostly prevent the Sea Org from having contact with the real world. He can only partially control what local org staff experience (they have certainly noticed the worldwide demonstrations over the past year and a half). But he has very little control over the information public Scientologists can access. They can read newspapers and watch TV if they want to. Many of them use the Internet regularly, and the Scieno Sitter is long since obsolete.
Looks to me as though the paying customers are drifting away in droves. But of course, I'm a perennial optimist.
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